Perhaps, brewers, not President Barack Obama, could bring the American economy out of a global recession. In Texas, craft brewing could add 52,000 jobs and surge to a $5.2 billion industry by 2010 if state legislators next year ease regulations on breweries and restaurants that serve beer-on-site, as disclosed by a study conducted by brewers.

The Houston Chronicle reports that, “that compares with the estimated $608 million economic impact that smaller, independently owned craft breweries made in 2011, according to the analysis made public Monday by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.”

Brock Wagner, who founded Saint Arnold’s Brewing Co. in 1994, said, “if you get a really vibrant industry going, with all the multiplier effects, to me it’s not unrealistic.”

According to the Houston Chronicle, “Wagner and other Brewers Guild members have already begun meeting with legislators and wholesaler groups ahead of the 2013 legislative session.”

Wagner added, “changing the laws will make many of these businesses much more viable. If the law changes, we will change our staffing overnight – literally, add another 50 percent.”